Whether you’re buying or selling real estate, how do you know what’s included in the sale of a house? Presumably, you’re buying or selling the house itself and the land on which it sits. But what about the fancy refrigerator, home theater, or smart thermostat? It depends. Typically, anything “permanently attached” should stay. However, it …
What’s An Escalation Clause? The greater Kansas City metro is still a seller’s market. Currently, it’s still very common for sellers to receive multiple offers on their house. When that happens, it’s common to see offers that include an Escalation Clause, also known as an Escalatory Addendum. Simply put, an escalation clause states a buyer …
What is a Home Warranty? A home warranty covers things that your standard homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover. Smart buyers and sellers can look to home warranties as a hedge against unexpected, and often expensive, repairs. A seller can purchase a 6-month warranty for $350-$500. When the house is sold (within that 6-month period) …
Contrary to popular believe, major remodeling projects are not always a good investment. That’s not to say making improvements won’t increase the value of your home. However, it’s important to know there is a difference between cost and value. This is one of the most common misunderstandings in real estate. People want believe that they’ll always …
You’ve done your research to find the perfect house, diligently picking the right school district and a neighborhood that’s relatively close to work, etc. You’ve finally found the perfect home, and your offer has been accepted…now what? The next step in your due diligence process is hiring a home inspector to inspect the home. A …
When it comes to real estate negotiation, be careful what you say and to whom you say it. If you’ve ever watched the TV show COPS, then you’ve certainly heard the police reading someone their Miranda Rights: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you…”. Why are …
How Successful Are ‘For Sale By Owner’ Sellers? If you’re thinking about selling your house, you may ask yourself: “How successful are ‘For Sale By Owner’ Sellers? Could I sell my house myself and save the commission?” If that’s you, here’s some information you may find interesting: According to The National Association of Realtors’ annual …
Imagine that you’ve found the perfect house. Congratulations! However, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’ll be living in your favorite house. There are simple things home buyers do that can ultimately cause them to miss out on their dream home. Do you want to see someone else living in your favorite house? Here are 4 common …
It’s that time of year! The weather is starting to break and people are spending their tax returns like free money. You know what that means…remodeling season has arrived! I was reminded of this last weekend during a trip to The Home Depot. For those who don’t already know, The Home Depot in Merriam is my …
First-Time Home Buyer Assistance…Available in Kansas If you’ve considered owning a home, but didn’t think you’d qualify…don’t assume you need a large down payment and ‘perfect’ credit to purchase a home. Many first-time home buyers assume they have to have a 15-20% down payment to purchase a home. This simply isn’t true! According to The …